Lingering, harmful myth
There has been a lot of controversy about vaccines lately. Whether people choose to have their children vaccinated, they should be making the decision based on correct information. Many people I speak to choose not to vaccinate based on the belief that vaccines can cause autism. This belief originated with fraudulent study results that were published in The Lancet medical journal in 1998. Although The Lancet retracted the study in 2010, the damage already had been done.
Subsequent articles have been published based on the falsified results, creating a domino effect of misinformation. The author, a British researcher named Andrew Wakefield, is no longer allowed to practice medicine — a small price to pay for the terrible and far-reaching effects of his actions.
There is no other medically documented study that indicates the risks of vaccinations even begin to outweigh the benefits. The media have contributed to the fear and spread of misinformation surrounding vaccines. Some holistic health websites still claim there is a link between vaccines and autism. Celebrities, including Jessica Simpson, have publicly weighed in against vaccinations, saying they can cause autism.
Unfortunately, the momentum gained in the media from one erroneous publication is stronger than the scientific evidence that supports the public need for vaccination. If an unvaccinated child is not left vulnerable to crippling and fatal diseases, it is only because the overwhelming majority of people are vaccinated. Hopefully, the scientific evidence eventually will dispel this harmful, lingering myth.
Monicque Deschamps
Belfast
Support the park
Sometimes it’s hard to know what position to take on issues that impact traditional ways of doing things. Time-honored traditions are important, but eventually there comes a time when most traditions need to make way for new realities. Today’s reality in the North Woods is that if we don’t take steps to preserve and protect what we have, what we have may not be around for long.
It’s not often we have a chance to support something that will affect the quality of life for future generations of Mainers. That’s why the proposal for a national park and recreation area in northern Maine is a great opportunity to accomplish something our grandchildren’s grandchildren will truly appreciate.
Can we be sure betting on a national park and letting go of some traditional ways of doing things will be all upside? Unfortunately, that’s not how things work in the real world. But as any financial adviser would say, a little diversification is always a good thing in the long run.
Let’s take advantage of a great opportunity and hedge our bets a little so future generations of Mainers will be able to have a quality outdoor experience in the great North Woods. Please make a commitment to future Mainers and support the national park and recreation area initiative.
Michael Enos
Orrington
Our beloved planet
I would like to encourage and ask BDN readers to consider reading Pope Francis’ encyclical about climate change. It is easily found online. It reads as a personal letter drawing the reader to think on this issue through the spirit and soul of all life forms of every corner of our world as opposed to any regional or national angle. This lens is the very one we must more fully develop if we are to have a chance at redeeming the cost of our struggle to truly embrace our oneness of soul.
It is sad to think how many will not consider it simply because of its source. Are we not all guilty of dismissing something outright, often narrowing our lives through our pride? The letter comes from the truest sense of what the word catholic means: what is universal. One does not feel threatened or offended by denominational dogma in reading this.
I heartily recommend it to all those in roles where they, by their example, can sing it forward to those they serve, in whatever life form. We must serve beauty. Beauty loves us and heals us.
George Repp
Brunswick
Support carbon tax
Many members of the Citizens Climate Lobby are in Washington, D.C., from June 20 to June 24. Citizens from across our nation are there joining together and meeting with their congressional representatives urging them to make changes in policy. I, like many others, have silently agreed with 97 percent of climate scientists who proclaim the need to address human-made climate change.
It is time to step up to the plate and voice concerns to our representatives, urging them to support revenue-neutral carbon pricing. Revenue-neutral carbon pricing charges a tax on all fossil fuels at the point of extraction. These taxes would be returned to households as a monthly dividend.
We should be very proud of Sen. Angus King, who took the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, praising Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change. King is a member of the Senate Climate Task Force and repeatedly has called for the U.S. to lead the fight against global warming.
Mainers should call their representatives and ask for their support, because calls from constituents will make a difference.
Beth Martin
Bangor
People before ideology
Instead of being aggravated all the time with Gov. Paul LePage’s lack of care and compassion for those in our state who need specific benefits or wage increases, I’ve become saddened by his rages and thoughtless comments.
Maine deserves a governor who cares about all his constituents instead of only caring about outdated conservative ideology.
Marianne Sacknoff
Stockton Springs
Bad deal for Maine
As the Trade Promotion Authority, also known a “fast-track,” bounces back and forth in Washington between the U.S. House and the Senate, we want to commend the entire Maine congressional delegation for seeing the proposal for what it is: a bad idea for Maine and our country.
With votes in the Senate and the House behind us, we want in particular to express our appreciation to Rep. Bruce Poliquin and Sen. Susan Collins for resisting intense pressure not only from the White House but from their party’s leadership in order to do the right thing for Maine.
As we approach another vote scheduled in the Senate on Wednesday, we urge Collins and Sen. Angus King to continue to stand firm and say no to this anti-democratic measure that would rush through job-killing trade agreements, negotiated in secret, into which Congress and the American people have had little or no meaningful input.
Cynthia Phinney
President of Maine Fair Trade Campaign
Livermore Falls